Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
C foot

multiphonic
D5 F5 D6 F6
Music Acoustics UNSW

modern B modern C classical C classical D classical flared baroque B3
C4 C#4 D4 D#4 E4 F4 F#4 G4 G#4 A4 A#4 B4
C5 C#5 D5 D#5 E5 F5 F#5 G5 G#5 A5 A#5 B5
C6 C#6 D6 D#6 E6 F6 F#6 G6 G#6 A6 A#6 B6
C7 C#7 D7 D#7 E7 F7 F#7 multiphonics

Impedance

Fingering
 a key depressed
a key not depressed
a part of the mechanism that is not normally touched
Details in fingering legend.

Acoustic schematic
a closed tone hole
an open tone hole

Non-specialist introduction to acoustic impedance
Non-specialist introduction to flute acoustics


Impedance spectrum of a modern flute with a C foot measured at the embouchure hole using fingering for the multiphonic D5, F5, D6 & F6. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

This may be compared with the fingering for F5, but with two register holes. It may also be considered as the trill fingering for D#6 (C#6 to D#6) with enough cross fingering to flatten it approximately a semitone. The 2nd and 1st minima, respectively, correspond to these pitches. Note that the harmonics of both pitches are approximately supported as well.

The Virtual Boehm Flute may suggest other fingerings for this multiphonic.
Fingering legend
How were these results obtained?
Acoustic measurements are available for these flutes -
modern B, modern C, classical C, classical D, classical flared, baroque
Sound clips are available for modern B, classical flared and baroque		 To compare flutes, it is easiest to open a separate browser window for each instrument.
Copyright © Academic Press. JSV+ Joe Wolfe, John Smith, John Tann and Neville H. Fletcher, Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes
Revised to include the baroque flute 2001.